Feeler-motion for looms.



va, L, STONE FEEDER MOTION FOR IOOIIES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1914.

1 gmmass Patentefi Aug. 3 1915 eras Em OFF'JKQE.

MELVIN L. STONE,

0'5 HOPEDALE.

6F HGPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER COMPANY,

MASSACHUSETTS. A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELEB-IviOTION FOR LOOIVIS.

Lil;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 3, 1915.

Application filed February 5,1914. Serial No. 816,837.

To Mil/r1107)? it 'm/I concern:

lie it known that it, bluntly ll. STONE, a citizen oi the United States, and resident of llopedale. county of Ybrcester, and State of lwlassauhusetts. have invented an Improve mont in Feelerdviotions for Looms, of which the b llowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification. like letters on the drawings representing like parts, X

The in ventioii to be hereinafter described rel utes to filling replenishing looms, wherein a' fresh supply of filling is furnished when that in the running shuttle fails or app OzlCllQS complete exhaustion; and more particularly the present invention has reference to the 'feeler motions 05 such looms.

is well understood by those art, feeler motion devices intermittingly feel for the filling in the. running shuttle, and when the filling has become exhausted or exhausted to a predetermined extent, such devices cause or pei-mit the operation of the filling replenishing mechanism at the proper time to automatically furnish the loom with a fresh supply of fillings l'arious forms of ieeler motions or filling exhaustion indicating mechanisms have been devi led. some of which have been employed in connection with certain initial windings at a particular part of the bobbin or carrier, others of which have depended for their operation upon contact with a particular part of the bobbin itself, as it becomes exposed. in all such cases, however, it is necessary that the bobbin or carrier in the shuttle should occupy a predetermined position in the shuttle box, otherwise the feeler motion deviceswill fail to act upon the particular part of the filling or bobbin intended, in which case improper quent action or inaction of the filling replenishing mechanism will result. This defective condition will arise, for instance, when the shuttle rebounds in its box, or fails to reach its propei position therein.

The aims and purposes of the present invention are to provide a ieeler motion for looms 'zZl erein the parts are so constructed and related that a more perfect detection of filling exhaustion may be had and the proper detecting function be discharged even though the shuttle ma y rebound in its box or for any other reason fail to be properly 170- sliilled in the indication and c0nse-' vices, to

sitioned therein, all of which will best be made clear from the following description and accompanying drawing of one form of means for carrying the invention into practical effect, it being understood that details may be varied within the true scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In the drawings :Figure l is a plan view of a filling feeler mechanism embodying the present invention, showing also part of a shuttle and filling carrier therein, portions of the shuttle box being omitted for clearness of illustration; Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2, Fig. 1', Fig. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic view showing parts of the l'eeler motion devices acting upon a filling carrier which has become practically exhausted of filling and has rebounded in theshuttle box; Fig. 4.-

is a section on the line 4'l, Fig. 3, showing more particularly the relative position of the detectors; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a bobbin of slightly modified form.

In the following exploitation of the invention the replenishment of filling is to be effected by ejecting the practically exhausted filling carrier or bobbin inthe shuttle and introducing a carrier or bobbin having a fresh supply of fillin but so far as the es- .sentials of the present invention are confor use in a filling replenishing loom and 1s preferably provided with holding jaws 2 to engage the head 3 of the removable lling carrier or bobbin 4. The front Wall of the shuttle 1 ispreterably so formed that the feeler motion devices may come into coacting relation with the filling carrier or bobbin and its load as the lay moves to front position, and in the present form of the invention the wall of the shuttle is provided with an opening 5 of suitable size and character, through which the feeler motion de be described, may enter, in usual manner. Similarly the front wall of the shuttle box (not shown) may be provided with a passage-way or opening with which the opening or slot 5 in the shuttle may register when the shuttle is boxed at the feeler side of the loom. In these respects the shuttle may be as usual, except that the opening 5 therethrpugli may be longer to enable the feeler motion devices to enter and perform their function even though the shuttle may not be properly positioned in its box either by reason oi rebound or failure to reach its intended position. f

Mounted upon suitable means opposite the shuttle box 6 at the feeler side of the loom is a support 7 adapted to sustain the teeler' slide 8 in a manner to permit said slide to move longitudinally. As a convenient and good practical construction for such purpose, the support .7 may be formed a casing chambered at 9 for the passage of the shank 10 of the feeler side, and to maintain the feeler slide normally projected toward the lay suitable means, such as a spring 11, may be interposed between a shoulder 12 .on the shank and the opposite end wall of the chamber 9,.the construction being such that the spring normally holds the feeler slide projected toward the lay but permits such slide'to yield longitudinally upon the application of force, as will presently appear. he casing 7 may be held in place convenient-1y by appropriate means, such as screws 13, Fig. 1.

lflxtending at one side of thesupport or casing 7 is a guideway for the end portion of a transmitter 14, Figs. 1,") and 3, such guideway being preferably formed as a slot 15 in a flange 16 projecting from the support or casing 7. The parts thus far described may be substantially as heretofore and as set forth in the. patent to Rainville, No. 1,040,409, of October 8, 1912, or they may be changed to suit conditions of use.

l-lereinit will be understood that the actu-.

ation of. the transmitter let by the feeler mechanism to be described, is designed to cause or permit filling replenishment, but as such replenishing mechanism and the association therewith. of a transmitter are well understood by those skilled in the art, the details thereof are not illustrated herein.

As hereinbefore noted, one of the purposes of the present invention is to secure proper action of the feeler motion devices, and perforce, otthereplenishing or other mechanisms under their control, even though the shuttle or filling carrier therein should not be properly positioned in the shuttle box. "is one means to this end the filling carrier or bobbin is provided with certain preliminary or initial windings of filling sufiicir-nt to pcrmitone, two, or more picks of the shuttle even after the working load of thin g has become practically exhausted, and the feeler motion devices are so contrived,, that when the working load of filling has reached a point where replenishment is deirable they will act iii-conjunction with said pirl zninr Q or initial windings to. cause or t fitting replenishment even though the the m filling carrier may not be propiwsiti -ned in the shuttle box, a condiport or rod 22 for a tion that may happen when the shuttle'rebounds or does not reach the limit of, its intended movement.

in the form of the invention illustrated, the preliminary or initial windings upon the filling carrier or bobbin are preferably placed at a recessed portion of said carrier or bobbin. As illustrated in Fig. 3, for in stance, the filling carrier or bobbin 4 may be provided with a ferrule 17 having a re cessed portion'at 18 upon which the pre liminary or initiatwindings 19 may be placed. This ferrule 17 may be spun or otherwise secured to the fillingcarrier or bobbin. lVhile the filling carrier with the ferrule 17 is a good practical form of carrier, the invention, it is to be understood, is not restricted thereto, because the bobbin or fillin carrier may be made as indicated in Fig. 0, wherein it is substantially .of the general form of that shown in Fig. 3, with the ferrule 17 omitted, and in which case the recess for the initial or preliminary windings is formed at 18 directly upon the body of the bobbin or carrier 4. The pre 1 liminarv windin s. as indicated in Fi 3,

. t: i 7 I are of course exaggerated somewhat, in or der to make clear thecharacteristics and operation of the invention.

'l. he feeler slide 8 is extended toward the rear of the loomor toward he shuttle box, and has a teele'r head 20 which extends in a longitudinal direction of the filling carricr to an extent greater than the prelimiknary or initial windings 19 with which the'lOO filling carrier or the'bobbin is supplied. In thepresent form of the invention the feeler head 20 is of slightly greater width than the recessed portion 18 of the ferrule 17, or the recessed portion 18' of the bobbin 0r carrier. l

Projecting upward from the feeler slide 8 are the lugs 21 carrying the pivotal supseries of levers 23. These levers may for identification, be known as detectors, because as willpresently appear, they detect the substantial exhaustion of the filling from'the carrier or bobbin and by such detection cause or permit re 'ilenishment of the filling.

As heretofore npted, there are a series of these-detectors 23, preferably three, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, and they are substantially alike. Each is provided with'a detector head 24 which, as the detectors 23 120.

move about their pivotal support 22, rise and fall'in grooves or openings in the feeler head 20, substantiallyas indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The end portions 250i the detector heads 24 normally extend slightlv beyond the edge of the feeler head, as indicated in Fig. 3; The detectors 23 are so balanced upon their pivotal support 22 that the longer arms thereof which 'carrythe shouldered portions .40 they L6, are normally depressed, so that should the lcelcrslide 8 he moved soward the IIOIll oi the loom the detectors he not turned upon their pivotal support, the shouldered It may be advisable to rovioc for j limiting doc risir g end fslliig movementsof the shouldered s'orlioos oi ihe detectors and to this end suilohie shops 2'? and 28 may he 5 provided, he former being preferably of the usual knife lilede character, While the latter may comprise :1 plate or arm 28 pro-- je-ctirig over the shouldered portions of the deiectors. I

From she construction described, it: will be apparent that when the carrier or bobbin 1% is supplier, with a Working quantity of filling, as indicated in Fig. 1, on the forward "movement of ihe la the ends of the de- 5 *tectorsfii'ill hefirst met by she-filling, thereturn'i'ng she detectors ehoif their pivotal support 22 so that as the feeler slide 8 moves toward the. front of the loom, or to the right, in Figs. 1 and 2, she slioiildered porso tions 26 of detectors will not engage the irausmitter. If, however, the filling has become practically exhausted, and the shuttle has been properly boxed directly in front of the fesler and detector heads, the icelcr 3.5 head 26 will engage the shouldered portionsof the filling carrier or bObiOlH-fili each end of the recess 18 therein, out as the initial windilogs 19 are :co of suiiicien'idiameter to contec'cwith and find the detectors 23, will remain depressed, with the result that es the feeler slide moves toward the front oflhe loom the shouldered portions 26 of the detectors will eiige'gc and move the transmitter 14:, thereby initiating or permitting filling replenishment.

Should the filling have become practically exhausted and the shuttle he not properly posiiioned in the loos, as for inst-coco, should the shuttle rebound or fail to reach ifis 5oproper location in'the hoxflhe rcccssedpor tion i8 of the carrier or holohin will be located mom or less to one side or me other of the fceler device. In this event one or the other side of the f-eeler head Will engage the "oohhin or carrier heyondl-he initial Wind.

ings; and if thedisplacemczil oi the shuttle be considerable, one or more of detector heads may likewise engage the bobbin or carrier beyond the initial windings, with the so result that those detectors the heads of which are thus engaged by the bobbin. or carrier will be tilted on their pivoiial suppors, while that one of the deteczors the head of which does not engage the oohhin'or 8 5 carrier but is positioned opposite lie initial windings, "will. not he iilted, so that as the feeler slide 8 moves toward the front of the loom, the detector which has not been tilted will have its shouldered portion 26 engage the transmitter 14 and initiate or permit filling replenishment, as hereinhefore indicated.

In Fig. 3,, the parts are shown in the relation they will assume if, for instance, the shuitle had entered its box and i'ehounded. lo this event the lower orlion 20 of the feeler head, as well as no lower detecfior heed 25, -Fig. 3, will engage the bobhio or carrier, and the detector whose head has thus engaged the bobbin or carrier 'will he tilted on its suppors into inoperative 52csirion; while the other two detectors, the

heads of which are opposite the initial windings 19, will not'h-e tilted, with the result that as the feele r slide 8 moves toward the froiit of the loom under the advancing movement of the filling carrier or bobbin with V which the lower portion of the head 20 is engaged, the two detectors, the heads of: which are opposite the initial windings will have their shouldered portions 26 engage with the transmitter 14 and cause or permit filling replenishment.

The same characteristic operation will.

take place should the shuttle not reach the. limit of its intended movement in thehox, so will readily be understood; and by providing a plurality of detectors intermediate rhsiwo end portions 20 of the feelor head, the iniended operation of the feeler motion devices will he carried into efi'ect, notwitb standing considerable misplacement of the shoiilc in its box.

ll liile the invention has been described as embodied in certain preferred deli-mils of mechanical devices, it is to be undersiood that it'is not necessarily limited therelo lmt that such devices may be varied in character and relation Wishin the true scope of the invention, as pointed cushy the claims.

What is claimed is z I l. A feels; motion for looms, comprising in combinc'tiou, a shuttle, carrier therein, having a, recessed portion on which initial windings are laid. a fceler having a head a plurality of independent detecfiors ior co swing the shuttle to detect the substantial exhaustion of the filling therein, said feeler headheing of greeficr extent longitudinally of the shuttle than the recessed portion of the carri r therein to hridgesaid windings and to contact with the carrier at one side of said windings when the filling has become practically exhaustedand the shuttle is not properly boxed.

A feeler motion for filling replenishing looms. comprising a feeler. having a slotted head and a. lurality of detectors movable iransversely of the head in the slots thereof,

shuttle containing a carrier having a recessed portion over which initial windings are laid, said headand plurality of detectors adapted to enter the shuttle to detect substantial exhaustion of the filling therein and being longitudinally of greater extent than the initial w ndings on the carrier therein to bridgesaid windings when the shuttle is properly boxed and to engage the carrier at one end of said windings when the shuttle is improperly boxed and the filling has become practically exhausted.

3. A feeler motion for looms, comprising i a feeler having a head portion of greater carrier having a tions of the feeler head being longitudinal extent than and adapted to bridge a longitudinal recess in a filling earprovided with initial windings, the side pore separated longitudinally of the shuttle to a greater extent than the longitudinal limits of the.initial windings on the carrier therein to bridge said windings when the shuttle is properly boxed and to engage the carrier at one side of said windings when the shuttle is improperly boxed and the filling has become substantially exhausted.

5. In a feeler'motion for looms, the combridge the datum depressed datum surface bination of a shuttle, a filling carrier having a recessed datum surface portion for containing initial windings of filling, a feeler having ahead of an extent longitudinally of the shuttle greater than'said datum surface, a plurality of detectors pivotally mounted on said head and having-end portions prqecting beyond the head, said head being adapted to enter the shuttle and surface when the shuttle is properly boxed more of said detectors contacting with the carrier beyond the datum surface when. the shuttle is improperly boxed.

6. A feeler motion comprising a and said head and one or feeler head provided with a plurality of slots between the side portions thereof, a plurality of detectors pivotally connected to said head and having end portions movable tran s versely of said slots to detect the substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle.

7. In a loom, the combination of a shuttle,

a filling carrier having a recessed portion to contain initial or preliminary windings of filling, a feeler having a feeler head and a plurality of independentlymovable detectors having detector portions disposed opposite said recessed portion when the shuttle is properly positioned in its box and having at least one of said detector portions opposite said recessed portionof the carrier when the shuttle is improperly positioned in its ox. y

In testimony whereof, I have'signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MELVIN L. STONE.

\Vitnesses:

EDWIN J STONE, .CHAs. W. EATON. 

